Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma join Sydney Thunder for WBBL 2021

India Women opener Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have joined Sydney Thunder for the Women’s Big Bash League 2021 which starts on October 14. The two Indians are currently in Australia itself, playing for the national team in a three-match each ODI and T20I series and a lone pink-ball Test. 

Sydney Thunder coach, Trevor Griffin described the signing of Mandhana as a great deal. Griffin has worked with Smriti and Deepti in England with the Western Storm. 

“She’s world-class. Smriti is an opening batter who has the tremendous ability to take everything in her stride. I’m delighted to have her on board, and I have no doubt that she’ll prove to be a great addition to Thunder,” Griffin was quoted as saying in a press release by the club. 

Smriti on the other hand said, “Playing in overseas leagues gives you a lot of experience, especially in the T20 format. Then, of course, you exchange so much experience with each other... with all the players from over the world... so you get to learn a lot.”

Along with the 25-year-old Smriti, her compatriot Deepti has also been signed. Talking about the 24-year-old, the Thunder coach said, “She offers a lot with the bat – Deepti is a match-winner – and she also has the talent to bowl in the powerplay, during the middle of a match, or at the death.”

“Deepti is a great addition to the Thunder, and I have no doubt she’ll go a long way to helping us in this year’s competition,” he added. 

For Deepti, who played in the Hundred Women recently, playing for the first time in WBBL is another great opportunity. “This is my first time [in the WBBL], so I’m excited. I’ve had offers before, but I couldn’t play at the time because at the time we had [an international] series. It’s a big thing for Indian women’s cricket that we have the opportunity to play in the WBBL. We have to express ourselves in the competition,” said Deepti. 

Sydney Thunder WBBL Squad

Rachael Haynes (C), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Smriti Mandhana (IND), Kate Peterson, Olivia Porter, Deepti Sharma (IND), Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson

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AUSW vs INDW | 3rd ODI: India hold nerves to clinch consolation win in another nail-biter

The Indian women’s team finally etched a win in the three-match ODI series after clinching a victory in the third and final clash in Mackay. India were off to a steady start after Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched a 59-run stand for the first wicket. Mandhana departed for 22 off 25 and Verma was joined by Yastika Bhatia at the crease. The two batters took the onus on themselves and put up a partnership of 101 runs for the second wicket. Verma was eventually out for 56 after she was cleaned up by Sophie Molineux while Yastika too notched up a half-century. The visitors then lost some wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 208/6 when Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana joined hands to steady the ship and score 33 runs for the seventh wicket. India looked comfortable in the chase at one stage but Sharma and Sneh Rana’s dismissals pushed them on back foot. The equation was finally down to 4 required off the last 6 balls with Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh at the crease. Singh got a single on the second ball of the over while Goswami struck a boundary on the third to wrap up the win for India in another nail-biting finish. With this win, India also broke Australia’s 26-match winning streak. Earlier, Australia managed to score 264/9 in 50 overs, courtesy half-centuries from Mooney and Gardner and a 32-ball 47. Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar picked up three wickets apiece for India. Australia captain Meg manning lauded India for the way they played this particular contest. “It was a great contest. We had our chances, we couldn't take them. India came out really well with the ball and kept fighting with the bat, so they deserved this win,” she said in the post-match presentation. India skipper Mithali Raj expressed delight on India’ win. “We are happy that we have won the last game, just told the girls that the winning streak of Australia started in 2018, against India in India and we needed to be the one who broke that streak. we need to put up a A-grade performance, so happy with the victory,” she said. Australia had earlier won the first two ODIs to take an unassailable lead.